For 20 days, groups affiliated with the Transitional Damascus Government have imposed a heavy siege on the city of Kobanê. This siege is severely affecting the lives of around 600,000 people, including those who were forced to flee due to attacks by these groups.
The city’s residents are living under extremely difficult humanitarian conditions. Basic needs, medicines, medical supplies, and fuel for heating have become critically scarce. Electricity and internet services have also been cut. This situation has intensified the suffering of the population while also disrupting the work of service institutions and humanitarian aid organizations.
Despite an agreement signed on 30 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Transitional Damascus Government that envisaged lifting the siege on Kobanê, the blockade is still ongoing.
In this context, the Kobanê Autonomous Administration issued a statement on Saturday 7 February. The statement said: “Upon the official invitation of the Aleppo Governorate, a delegation consisting of the city administration and officials went to Aleppo on February 5 and met with the Deputy Governor of Aleppo and the Commander of the Internal Security Forces affiliated with the governorate.”
The statement by the Kobanê Autonomous Administration also noted: “Despite the promises made by government representatives during the meeting, no concrete steps have been taken by the government to date, particularly regarding the withdrawal of military forces from the Çelebiye area and the lifting of the siege on Kobanê.”